Denver heads a list of 20 overextended markets, all of which have insufficient income bases to support their existing major-league teams. Complete rankings can be found in the database below.
On Numbers analyzed 85 metropolitan areas in the United States and Canada to determine if they have the financial ability to support professional teams in baseball, football, basketball, hockey and soccer. Click here for the complete methodology.

Detroit used to be such a strong and big city in history and now it's really struggling big time. Those teams there have such rich history, but i wonder if any of them feel threatened just given the city's current state.

powerfulpanda

08-18-2011 10:21 AM

wow...i'm surprised phoenix is so high up there. its the 6th largest city in the US with over 1.4 million people and metropolitan of over 4 mill

jeffb

08-18-2011 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powerfulpanda
(Post 566164)

wow...i'm surprised phoenix is so high up there. its the 6th largest city in the US with over 1.4 million people and metropolitan of over 4 mill

If it weren't for the Coyotes bleeding money they would at least be lower.

powerfulpanda

08-18-2011 10:27 AM

not sure where you got the list, but the top 10 in the link is different then the one you posted. 11-20 is the same tho

If it weren't for the Coyotes bleeding money they would at least be lower.

Actually, the Cardinals and Diamondbacks are usually both in the lower third of their respective leagues in attendance as well. Phoenix was also hit hard by the economic crisis in 2008 as there had been a major construction boom, but when it hit housing prices plummeted.

jeffb

08-18-2011 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acie
(Post 566169)

Actually, the Cardinals and Diamondbacks are usually both in the lower third of their respective leagues in attendance as well. Phoenix was also hit hard by the economic crisis in 2008 as there had been a major construction boom, but when it hit housing prices plummeted.

Didn't realize that. But aren't the Coyotes bankrupt and essentially owned by the NHL?

Acie

08-18-2011 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffb
(Post 566172)

Didn't realize that. But aren't the Coyotes bankrupt and essentially owned by the NHL?

Yeah, but that's not what the article is about. It's about the ability of the city to support teams based on the average income, not the viability of the franchises themselves.

For example, the Nuggets were 15th last year in attendance, the Broncos 5th, the Avalanche 24th and the Rockies 12th in their respective leagues. Clearly not the worst major sports city unless based on the article's criteria.

Chiggmo

08-18-2011 08:35 PM

I'm surprised Pit is on there tbh, or at least that high up.

Bill Haverchuck

08-18-2011 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acie
(Post 566175)

Yeah, but that's not what the article is about. It's about the ability of the city to support teams based on the average income, not the viability of the franchises themselves.

For example, the Nuggets were 15th last year in attendance, the Broncos 5th, the Avalanche 24th and the Rockies 12th in their respective leagues. Clearly not the worst major sports city unless based on the article's criteria.

Yeah. Although the methodology might reveal something important in many cases, it won't be applicable to all cities since it appears as though it fails to take unique local factors into account. In many markets, citizens spend considerable amounts of disposable income on leisure activities other than sports. However, in certain cities, there are limited alternatives, so a greater share of the money is available for sports. In addition to that, there are cultural dynamics which can dictate what type of leisure activities people seek out.

powerfulpanda

08-19-2011 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiggmo
(Post 566314)

I'm surprised Pit is on there tbh, or at least that high up.

Pitt is roughly the size of Vancouver and we only have 1 of the 4 major sports whereas they have 3